MARSHALL — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has selected Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in Marshall, as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Knee and Hip Replacement, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.

Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated health care facilities that show a commitment to delivering high-quality care, patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations.

Facilities designated as Blue Distinction Centers for Knee and Hip Replacement demonstrate expertise in total knee and total hip replacement surgeries, resulting in fewer patient complications and hospital readmissions. In addition to meeting these quality thresholds, hospitals designated as Blue Distinction Centers+ are on average 20 percent more cost-efficient in an episode of care compared to other facilities.

Knee and hip replacement procedures remain some of the most commonly performed elective surgical procedures in the U.S., according to a 2018 study released by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. In 2014, there were 370,770 total hip replacements and 680,150 total knee replacements1.

“We are proud to be recognized by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota for the high quality joint replacement care our team provides. Our commitment to this level of clinical sophistication and excellence in orthopedics ensures convenient access to world-class care for people in our region,” said Mary Maertens, regional president and CEO, Avera Marshall.

For more information about the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program and for a complete list of designated facilities, visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.

1 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Changing Demographics in Primary and Revision Total Joint Arthroplasty, 2000-2014 Matthew Sloan, Neil P Sheth, March 6, 2018.